Trees for Land Reclamation

Buying trees for reclamation of public land is perhaps the most
misunderstood aspect of the reclamation process.

The 2010 Changes in the Alberta government's reclamation standards for
forested lands essentially requires that if there was a forest on your site
before you developed it, you must return your site to a similar condition
when you reclaim it.
These rules further stipulate that the trees you plant on public land must
come from seed collected from the same seed zone in which your site is
located. (see our "what are seed zones?" faq).

This means you can't just buy reclamation seedlings from your local tree
nursery or garden center and plant them in your site.

First you need to get seed or cuttings from the specific seed zone in which your
site is located. We can sometimes buy the correct seed on your behalf but if
no seed is available we'll actually go to your seed zone and
collect seeds or other source material
ourselves. Next we clean and test the seed. Then we grow your seedlings
at the appropriate time so that they are ready when you need them.

Our six tree nurseries grow tens of millions of seedlings every year.
Our facility in Smoky Lake grows virtually all of the reforestation stock for
Alberta's oil sands (1.75 million seedlings spread over 50 species of
trees and shrubs in 2011) all on its own.
Why not let us grow seedlings for your reclamation project too?
We'd love to hear about your project; give us a call at 1 866 873-3846.